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Overwatch 2 Patch Notes Bring The Biggest Stadium Changes Yet Overwatch 2 Patch Notes Bring The Biggest Stadium Changes Yet Overwatch 2’s latest update brings the most significant changes to the game’s new Stadium mode yet, with tweaks to the mode’s mercy rule, major item price adjustments, the introduction of Freja, and hero balance changes. It’s all detailed in the patch notes, which can be found below. Stadium sports a “mercy rule,” where if one team has a significant cash advantage and wins three rounds in a row, that team will immediately win. However, Blizzard notes that the need for a 15,000 cash disparity between teams to trigger the rule was making it so games weren’t being ended early when they probably should have. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. 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Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6 | Animated Collaboration Reveal Trailer In order to make the mercy rule more effective, Blizzard has lowered the cash disparity needed to trigger it down to a 10,000 cash difference. Blizzard said it will keep an eye on the change and will consider making additional mercy rule changes in the future. Other Stadium mode changes include an additional cash bonus when both teams have lower than intended amounts of cash, and an increase to the amount of competitive points earned from matches. Perhaps the most significant changes to Stadium are updates to the cost and power of certain items. Blizzard said that stacking large amounts of Weapon Power or Ability Power is currently too prevalent and “crowding out” other item choices. To make other items a more viable option, Blizzard has lowered the cost efficiency of many of the offending items by increasing their cost or slightly lowering their overall stats, while also buffing some weaker items. On the hero balance-side of Stadium, Freja is now playable in the mode, while Reinhardt and Soldier: 76 have received some changes. Soldier: 76 will find it harder to one shot enemies with Helix Rocket after a nerf to the Cratered power that sees the ability’s explosion damage reduced to 15% from 25%. Reinhardt received the most adjustments, with nerfs to the Rocket Strike item in order to compensate for buffs to Reinhardt’s Fire Strike ability in core Overwatch, as well as nerfs to the Smashing power in order to tune down the hero’s popular Melee damage build that Blizzard said is “performing too consistently.” While most of the changes in the patch are for Stadium, there are a few adjustments to hero balance in Overwatch 2’s standard modes as well. The aforementioned Reinhardt Fire Strike changes have made it so the ability’s projectile speed is faster and its recovery time reduced, while Freja, the game’s newest hero, has received a slight nerf to her Quick Dash ability. Other changes include nerfs to Sombra to make her invisibility easier to deal with, buffs for Hanzo’s primary fire, nerfs to Pharah’s popular Drift Thrusters and Concussive Implosion perks, and more. Check out the patch notes below for the full list of changes. Overwatch 2’s latest Season 16 update additionally added a new Street Fighter 6 crossover and a new Overwatch Classic playlist that returns the game to how it was in October 2020. Blizzard recently detailed its Overwatch 2 Stadium mode roadmap, outlining the heroes, maps, and more that will come to the mode in future seasons. Overwatch 20 May 20 Patch Notes General Updates Player Report Tool Players can now receive an instant notification if a player is already actioned. Prior to this feature, reporting a player that had already been banned or suspended would not result in any additional information. The Instant Reporting Feedback feature will immediately inform the player of the fact that banned or suspended players have been actioned when they are reported. Hero Updates Tank Hazard Developer comments: Hazard’s slower climbing fits his lumbering tank fantasy, but it was a point of friction when trying to chase down or escape from enemies, so we’re speeding up how quickly he can vault over a ledge. Additionally, we’re boosting Anarchic Zeal’s lifesteal as the current value wasn’t effective enough. Vault – Passive Ledge climb animation time reduced from 0.6 to 0.4 seconds. Anarchic Zeal – Major Perk Spike Guard’s Lifesteal is increased from 25% to 40%. Reinhardt Developer comments: Reinhardt generally does well across the game but falls off in effectiveness at high ranks. We’re increasing the speed and responsiveness of Fire Strike to make it more reliable from range. Fire Strike – Ability 2 Projectile speed increased from 25 to 30 meters per second. Recovery time reduced from 0.63 to 0.45 seconds. Damage Freja Developer comments: Freja has continued to climb in win-rate now that players have become accustomed to her kit. We are partially reverting the Quick Dash cooldown to reduce her airtime and frequency of explosive bolts. Quick Dash Cooldown increased from 3.5 to 4 seconds. Genji Shuriken – Primary and Secondary Fire Ammo reduced from 30 to 24. Projectile speed increased from 60 to 75. Hanzo Developer comments: Hanzo’s been underperforming recently so we’re reverting his bow draw speed back to its original, faster value. The Sonic Disruption perk isn’t picked very often but increasing its duration will make it more useful and require less upkeep to control a health pack. Storm Bow – Primary Fire Draw time reduced from 0.8 to 0.72 seconds. Sonic Disruption – Minor Perk Health pack hack time increased from 12 to 30 seconds. Pharah Developer comments: Drift Thrusters and Concussive Implosion have been too consistent at securing kills. These adjustments will give better opportunities for counterplay when fighting against these perks. Drift Thrusters – Minor Perk Movement speed while using Barrage reduced by 20%. Concussive Implosion – Major Perk Distance pulled reduced by 50%. Reaper Developer comments: We’re aligning the recovery of Dire Triggers with Reaper’s primary fire to improve the flow when alternating between the two. Dire Triggers – Major Perk Recovery reduced from 0.7 to 0.5 seconds. Soldier: 76 Developer comments: Stim Pack’s button mapping made it difficult to activate, especially in combat. Binding it to Weapon Swap improves the control scheme and removing the anti-heal makes it less punishing to use. Stim Pack – Major Perk Anti-heal removed. Now deals 75 self-damage on use. Is now activated by using Weapon Swap. Sombra Developer comments: Invisibility is a frustrating mechanic to play against for many, so we’re increasing the windows for counterplay. Sombra will now take longer to exit stealth and to disappear after taking damage. Translocator – Ability 2 Fade in time increased from 0.15 to 0.3 seconds. Stealth reveal duration on taking damage increased from 1 to 1.3 seconds. Widowmaker Developer comments: Widowmaker is a more map-dependent hero than most and now with hero bans restricting her usefulness we’re looking to make her viable in more situations. Widow’s Kiss – Primary Fire Maximum spread reduced from 3 to 2 degrees. Damage increased from 13 to 14. Deadly Deux Venom Mine’s bonus damage increased from 50% to 100%. Support Illari Developer comments: Illari often has to move into high-risk positions to heal effectively. Extending the range on her healing beam will give her more flexibility in how she positions and supports her team. Solar Rifle – Secondary Fire Range increased from 15 to 20 meters. Lifeweaver Developer comments: The opportunity cost to use Thorn Volley is still too high compared to constantly charging Healing Blossom. We are improving the auto-charge to make weaving damage between healing less punishing. Healing Blossom – Primary Fire Auto-Charge rate increased by 25%. Superbloom – Major Perk The number of hits to trigger reduced from 20 to 16. Stadium Updates Mercy Rule Now triggers when the cash disparity between the teams is at 10,000 or more (down from 15,000). Developer comments: We feel that not enough games that reach 3-0 are triggering the Mercy Rule when they probably should. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this and will be considering other changes to the Mercy Rule system in the future. Round Completion Cash We’ve added a system where players are granted an additional boost to their Round Completion Cash in rounds that end with players on both teams having lower than intended amounts of cash. This additional cash will be equivalent for every player. Competitive Rewards Competitive points for winning a match has been increased to 20 per match. Tank Reinhardt Developer comments: To compensate for the buff to Reinhardt’s Fire Strike in Core Overwatch, we’re decreasing the burst potential of Reinhardt’s Fire Strike build and normalizing the max projectile speed Fire Strike can reach. We’re also tuning down Reinhardt’s Melee build to be a bit more counterable, which is performing too consistently given the high payoff of the build. Smashing – Power Reduced Move Speed per stack to 1% (down from 2%). Reduced Life Steal per stack to 3% (down from 5%). Increased maximum stacks to 10 (up from 5). Reduced duration to 2s (down from 3s). To Me, My Friends! – Power Increased healing based on Max Life to 4% (up from 3%). Wilhelmwagen – Power Decreased healing from damage mitigated to 5% (down from 15%). Rocket Strike – Epic Hero Ability Item Decreased Fire Strike Projectile Speed to 25% (down from 50%). Decreased Ability Power to 10% (down from 20%). Chimera’s Maw – Rare Hero Ability Item Decreased Ability Power to 5% (down from 10%). Damage Freja Added to the Stadium Hero Roster Cyclone – Power New Stadium Power. When you use Updraft, fire a Take Aim bolt at your crosshair. Seekerpoint – Power New Stadium Power. When Take Aim bolt sticks an enemy, automatically fire 3 additional crossbow shots at them that deal 66% reduced damage. Seismic Shot – Power New Stadium Power. Take Aim explosion radius is increased by 33%. Double this if the bolt is stuck to a target. Thread the Needle – Power New Stadium Power. Take Aim bolts pierce enemies. Additional explosions deal 66% reduced damage. Deep Pockets – Power New Stadium Power. When you use an ability, restore 50% of your Max Ammo. Forager – Power New Stadium Power. For 2 seconds after using Quick Dash. Revdraw Crossbow hits heal you for 3% of your Max Life. Peak Performance – Power New Stadium Power. While firing Revdraw Crossbow your fall speed is decreased by 80%. Redux – Power New Stadium Power. Revdraw Crossbow hits against targets stuck by a Take Aim bolt or Bola Shot reduce the cooldown of your abilities by 5% and refunds 1 ammo. Volley à Deux – Power New Stadium Power. Every fifth Revdraw Crossbow shot fires an additional 2 bolts in a spread that deal 50% reduced damage. Lille Fælde – Power New Stadium Power. After using Updraft, your next Take Aim while airborne fires a Bola Shot that deals 60% reduced damage instead of an explosive bolt. So Cooked – Power New Stadium Power. Bola Shot’s damaging zone deals 50% more damage and lingers for 3 seconds. Bola shot eliminations count toward Bounty Hunting. Mighty Gust – Power New Stadium Power. Updraft launches a wind blast toward your crosshair, knocking back enemies and dealing 40 ability damage. Tracker Tag – Rare Hero Weapon Item New Rare Hero Weapon Item. 30% Max Ammo. When Take Aim bolt sticks to an enemy, increase your Attack Speed by 20% for 3 seconds. Slipstream Scarf – Rare Hero Weapon Item New Rare Hero Weapon Item. 25 Health. 5% Weapon Power. 25% Quick Dash Distance. Portable Zipline – Epic Hero Weapon Item New Epic Hero Weapon Item. 15% Weapon Power. Eliminations reset both charges of Quick Dash cooldown. Windwalker Boots – Rare Hero Ability Item New Rare Hero Ability Item. 25 Health. 5% Cooldown Reduction. 20% Updraft Height. Magnetic Maelstrom – Epic Hero Ability Item New Epic Hero Ability Item. 15% Ability Power. Bola Shot pulls in nearby enemies even when it misses. Hunter’s Mark – Rare Hero Survival Item New Rare Hero Survival Item. 25 Health. Enemies with a Bounty of 75- or more are revealed to you within 40 meters. Eliminating them grants 250 additional Stadium Cash. Aeroweave Cloak – Rare Hero Survival Item New Rare Hero Survival Item. 25 Health. 100% Take Aim Slowed Momentum Duration. Tourniquet – Rare Hero Survival Item New Rare Hero Survival Item. 25 Health. After using Updraft, reset Quick Dash and gain 50 Overhealth for 5 seconds. Toxin Tips – Epic Hero Survival Item New Epic Hero Survival Item. 50 Health. Take Aim bolts sticks and explosions slow enemies by 30% but takes 1 second longer to explode. Soldier: 76 Developer comments: Soldier 76’s Helix Rocket build is one-shotting a little too consistently. We’re decreasing the damage here a bit to reduce the burst potential. Cratered – Power Reduced increased Explosion Damage to 15% (down from 25%) General Items Items Developer comments: Stacking large amounts of Weapon Power or Ability Power have become too prevalent, crowding out other itemization options. We are lowering the cost efficiency of these items to promote greater item diversity and weaken builds that rely on high amounts of burst through stacking Weapon or Ability Power. We’re also strengthening some weaker item options. Champion’s Kit – Epic Ability Item Increased cost to 14000 (up from 13500). Decreased Ability Power to 35% (down from 40%). The Closer – Epic Weapon Item Increased cost to 14500 (up from 13000). Eye of the Spider – Epic Weapon Item Increased cost to 14000 (up from 13500). Nano Cola – Rare Ability Item Increased cost to 6000 (up from 5500). Talon Modification Module – Rare General Weapon Item Increased cost to 6000 (up from 5500). Gloomgauntlet – Epic Survival Item Increased cost to 10000 (up from 9500). Icy Coolant – Rare Weapon Item Increased cost to 5500 (up from 5000). Multi-Tool – Rare Ability Item Decreased cost to 4500 (down from 5000). Decreased Cooldown Reduction to 5% (down from 10%). Increased Ability Power to 10% (up from 5%). Bloodbound – Epic Survival Item Decreased cost to 9000 (down from 9500). Geneticist’s Vial – Epic Survival Item Increased Life after reviving to 250 (up from 200). Electrolytes – Common Survival Item Now gives 100 Overhealth every time you respawn (instead of just at the start of the round). Increased cost to 1500 (up from 1000). Adrenaline Shot – Common Survival Item Increased Health to 25 (up from 10). Increased cost to 1500 (up from 1000). Bug Fixes General Fixed an issue where challenges were not progressing when queued as a specific role. Fixed a graphical error that caused flashing for certain heroes on consoles. Heroes Doomfist Fixed an issue where Doomfist was able to continue charging his punch through Sigma’s Accretion stun. Illari Fixed an issue where Illari’s Captive Sun Ultimate would not explode after a deflect. Mercy Fixed an issue where Mercy’s resurrect could complete in spawn if spawn timer was reached. Stadium Fixed a visual issue causing the Rank Progress bar to show incorrect Stadium Points after a match. Fixed an issue with Competitive title rewards displaying the wrong role in stadium. Fixed an issue with Zarya not working with Codebreaker item. Fixed and issue where the mercy rule would activate inconsistently. Fixed an issue with Mercy’s First Responder power. Fixed an issue where the armory could load in an incomplete state. Fixed an issue where the Better Together challenge was not tracking for D.VA players under certain conditions. Fixed an issue where the Better Together challenge was not counting towards MVP or Star of the Show challenges. Fixed an issue that occurs when Soldier uses the On Me power with both Vishkar Condenser and Vital-E-Tee mods together. Fixed an issue that occurs when Junker Queen uses both the Reckoner’s Roar power and Cybervenom mod. Fixed an issue that occurs when Ana uses both Comfy Cloud and Dreamy powers. Fixed an issue that occurs when Mei uses both the Coulder power and Cybervenom mod. Fixed an issue with Freja’s animation while holding down her secondary fire. Fixed an issue with Mercy’s Equivalent Exchange mod and this has now been re-enabled. Fixed an issue with Genji’s Deflect-O-Bot power and this has now been re-enabled. Fixed an issue where Moira’s Empowering You power would not play hit markers when the buffed ally dealt damage. Fixed an issue where Zarya’s Hybrid Battery item wouldn’t reset energy to 0 when sold. Source link #Overwatch #Patch #Notes #Bring #Biggest #Stadium Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Target sales hit as Trump tariffs take effect Target sales hit as Trump tariffs take effect US retail chain Target has slashed its expectations for the year after a sharp fall in sales which it blamed on a “highly challenging environment” amid the introduction of trade tariffs. Its sales slumped by 5.7% in the three months to May, at a time when the company also faced a backlash following a previous decision to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) targets. Bosses declined to confirm any potential price rises due to higher import taxes, saying raising prices could be a “last resort.” Brian Cornell, chief executive of Target, said pricing decisions would depend on the retailer’s efforts to source more products in the US and reduce its reliance on China. “That is going to play a very important role,” he said following the company’s results. Unlike its rival Walmart, which generates the bulk of its revenues from selling grocery items like bananas, milk, toilet paper, and shampoo, Target’s big sellers are mostly in non-essential goods, such as home furniture and beauty products. It sources the majority of such products from China, with 30% of its store-label goods from the country. That is down from 60% in 2017, but analysts have said the impact of higher import tariffs on goods from the country will be difficult to navigate. US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on many countries since returning to the White House in an attempt to encourage businesses and consumers to buy more American-made goods. Trump hopes his policy will help boost US manufacturing and jobs but economists have warned it could lead to higher prices for customers. The US and China have agreed a truce to lower import taxes on goods being traded between the two countries, which has de-escalated the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies, but US import taxes on ******** remain higher than before at 30%. Rick Gomez, the company’s chief commercial officer, said Target was looking to negotiate with suppliers and expand the number of its suppliers beyond China, as well as adjusting the timing and quantity of orders. “These efforts are expected to offset the vast majority of the incremental tariff exposure,” he said. Walmart revealed last week it it would raise prices due to tariffs, which prompted Trump to say the supermarket should “eat the tariffs” on imported goods instead of passing on costs. Target said on Wednesday it now expects a low-single digit decline in annual sales. It previously forecast net sales growth of around 1%. In January, Target announced it was ending its DEI targets. The Trump administration is opposed to such policies, which has resulted in a host of major firms cutting back on initiatives. The chain was sued by a group of shareholders earlier this year, led by the City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund in Florida, who argued Target had defrauded them by allegedly concealing the risks associated with its DEI policies. The lawsuit referred to a 2023 backlash over LGBTQ+ merchandise at its stores, which caused both its sales and its stock price to drop, and led to boycotts. Mr Cornell said the reversal of some DEI policies played a role in first-quarter performance, but that he could not quantify the impact. Source link #Target #sales #hit #Trump #tariffs #effect Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Lies of P is getting difficulty options to make the Soulslike more accessible Lies of P is getting difficulty options to make the Soulslike more accessible Lies of P: Overture will introduce difficulty options to try to increase the number of players who can enjoy the game. Difficulty options in Soulslikes are rare, with FromSoftware‘s games featuring no such options. While much of the community celebrates this, and the difficulty of those games is part of why they have enjoyed such popularity, some players have argued that a lack of difficulty options prohibits potential players from enjoying the genre. Now, Lies of P: Overture developer Neowiz has announced that it will introduce difficulty options in its upcoming expansion. “We wanted to make sure a wider audience of players could play the game,” said game director Jiwon Choi. When asked if this decision was made based on player feedback, he responded, “Absolutely, we have a lot of feedback from customers, and from our developers. “So by making development adjustments and introducing these difficulty options, we can offer the experience to different types of players. This broadens the base.” The new difficulty options, “Butterfly’s Guidance” and “Awakened Puppet,” will be added in a patch released alongside Lies of P: Overture. The game’s default difficulty level will now be named “Legendary Stalker.” VGC recently got the chance to play Lies of P: Overture, as well as the new Battle Memories mode. “A sequel to Lies of P is currently in development, and Lies of P: Overture serves as a great intermission between the two acts,” reads our preview. “The zoo is a great location for an expansion, and extremely well designed, and the new additions to the enemy roster will give players dozens of new patterns to learn and attacks to dodge. “Lies of P’s new difficulty system is perhaps the most interesting addition of the whole package, and one that has the potential to bring a new audience to a beloved genre. At the same time, the harder difficulty levels of the new Battle Memories mode will give players a chance to sharpen their skills before the full sequel to the game arrives.” Source link #Lies #difficulty #options #Soulslike #accessible Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Magnificent 7 Earnings Preview: A Pulse Check on the US Economy Magnificent 7 Earnings Preview: A Pulse Check on the US Economy Major tech-related companies host Annual General Meetings in the weeks ahead Q1 earnings season was strong, but the collective macro outlook remains murky AI is back in vogue after tech executives and the president forged deals in the Middle East last week Investors can pause to catch their breath after a wild last month. Cooler heads appear to have prevailed in the trade war, the Q1 earnings season was better than expected, and (for now) economic data is hanging in there. According to Econoday, the last few point to a slowing, but not halting, labor market. The US has been steady around the 4.2% mark, while have drifted down to 3.8% on a year-on-year basis. Moreover, data from February through April were largely below estimates. Eyeing the Macro Calendar Now more than ever, though, both company-specific and economy-wide data are seen as less relevant. Last week’s Retail Sales report, while light, didn’t raise recession flags, and next week’s April Personal Consumption Expenditure () Price Index print (which comes alongside the Personal Income and Outlays report) won’t fully reflect the impact of tariffs. Mark your calendar for several macro updates, according to Wall Street Horizon’s new Economic Calendar data. First, the minutes from the May 6-7 Fed meeting are set to be released on Wednesday, May 28th. Following that, the June FOMC gathering could be livelier as we’ll get fresh forecasts from voting members via the (SEP) and the always-revealing Fed dot plot. Lastly, recession fears have ebbed in the last few months but be on guard for possible volatility around the second look at Q1 GDP, which hits the tape on Thursday, May 29. Mag 7 Shareholder Meeting Season Yes, plenty of macro volatility catalysts are in the offing, but don’t sleep on the long list of key shareholder meetings ahead. Specifically, several Magnificent Seven companies have Annual General Meetings (AGM) over the coming weeks. Beyond those glamour stocks, a handful of other large-cap bellwethers host events to update equity owners on company performance, strategic plans, and firm-specific and macro conditions they see. At the events, investors exercise their voting rights and engage with management, usually friendly but sometimes hostile. We detailed notable shareholder meeting events in April when volatility was near its zenith. Today, as panic has subsided and with the carrot of tax cuts dangling and hopes revived for deregulation, there could be a more upbeat tone. Here are the headline shareholder meetings scheduled: May 20: JPMorgan Chase & Company The sector faces challenges and opportunities. On the positive side, last week’s major IPO, eToro (ETOR), was quite encouraging for capital markets. Shares soared on their first day of trading, while the day before, fintech company Chime filed for a Nasdaq IPO.1 Moreover, KKR (KKR) received an upgrade from Morgan Stanley, and fellow capital markets company Carlyle (CG) got a boost from TD Cowen.2 And all of a sudden, M&A is kicking up in the shoe space (see: Skechers and Foot Locker (NYSE:)). Good news for the JPM Investment Banking department. Unfortunately, last week’s quarterly report on household debt from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York underscored a deterioration in consumer finances, including lower collective credit scores as household debt swells.3 JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:) is arguably the most important global financial institution, headed by Jamie Dimon, dubbed America’s banker. Investors should pay attention to what transpires today at JPM’s AGM. May 21: Amazon.com Turning to the Mag 7, Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:) had a load lifted off its back when the US and China chose to roll back most tariffs earlier this month. Shares soared by more than 8% on Monday last week, though they remain far below their $242 all-time high notched in February. The company also confirmed a small workforce reduction, adding to the list of recent layoff announcements. Still, its most recent earnings report was solid—a double beat—with Amazon Web Services (AWS) growing 17% YoY.4 Be on the lookout for any updates from CEO Andy Jassy this Wednesday. May 28: Meta Platforms Next week, before the PCE report and three-day weekend, Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:) welcomes shareholders to its virtual event. It, too, beat Q1 sales and earnings estimates, helping to lift shares off their April 21 low under $500. META is the top-performing mega-cap tech stock year to date, with some arguing that it is executing the best on AI strategy. Despite fears of reduced ad spending amid all the macro uncertainty, it grew profits by 35% in the first quarter and issued solid guidance for the balance of the year. The kicker was a significant increase in its FY 2025 capex forecast.5 We’ll see if executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, discuss those plans in more detail next Wednesday. June 5: Netflix Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:), while not officially a member of the Magnificent Seven, is among 2025’s best stocks. Through last Wednesday, shares were up 29% on the year, ranking it 13th best among all companies YTD. The Movies and Entertainment industry company within the Communication Services sector ruffled some feathers a month ago when it was reported that a $1 trillion market cap was targeted by co-CEO Ted Sarandos.6 That doesn’t seem so out of line today, with NFLX knocking on the door of a $500 million equity valuation. Last week, the firm said its ad tier now has 94 million monthly active users, up 34% just since November and higher by a whopping 135% from 12 months ago.7 Seen as a recession-resistant and tariff-buffered asset-light company, investors will surely be upbeat heading into the June AGM. June 6: Alphabet The Mag 7 is not a monolith. Alphabet (NASDAQ:) has struggled in 2025, with the stock down by more than 10%, a strong Q1 report notwithstanding. Earlier this month, news broke that Apple’s (AAPL) Eddy Cue testified that Safari searches were down for the first time in 22 years.8 That was bad news for Alphabet since its search engine is the default for Apple (NASDAQ:) products. It will be critical to hear from CEO Sundar Pichai and other top executives on not just search, but also ongoing Justice Department probes and how the $2 trillion market cap company plans to make inroads into AI as the competition grows fiercer. June 25: NVIDIA Last but not least, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:) has been on a heater in the past several weeks. Through May 21, the stock was up by more than 50% from the April nadir. CEO Jensen Huang appears to be in President Trump’s good graces as he joined the POTUS and other tech leaders in a pivotal business trip to the Middle East. To wit, BofA noted that NVIDIA was among the “top beneficiaries” from deals inked in Saudi Arabia last week.9 The bulls hope such capital investments and new orders will be the next leg of the AI *****. Expect to hear more about the broader outlook on June 25, and NVIDIA reports quarterly results on Wednesday night next week. The Bottom Line The bulk of Q1 earnings season is in the books, and we have some stability on the trade front. That makes upcoming shareholder meetings all the more important as investors look ahead to the year’s second half. There are individual company stories and macro trends that shape capital project plans and dictate shareholder-friendly initiatives like stock buybacks and dividends. Source link #Magnificent #Earnings #Preview #Pulse #Check #Economy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Strasbourg Open: Emma Raducanu suffers injury scare just four days before French Open in loss to Danielle Collins Strasbourg Open: Emma Raducanu suffers injury scare just four days before French Open in loss to Danielle Collins Raducanu said she was building a relationship with clay courts after her impressive opening win over Daria Kastakina on Monday. Victory over world number 17 Kasatkina came after Raducanu’s run the Italian Open fourth round, where she won three consecutive clay-court matches for the first time in her career. Raducanu was rewarded for a solid start against Collins, breaking early for a 3-2 lead, with Collins cutting an increasingly frustrated figure in response to her opponent’s consistency. The Briton won eight points in a row on her way to serving out the set and joked with her team as she took to her chair, having made just six unforced errors in the first 10 games. But momentum swung dramatically in set two as Collins broke serve twice without reply and Raducanu surpassed her first-set error count in the fourth game. Raducanu called for the physio shortly before falling 5-0 behind and, after a brief discussion, left the court. To the relief of her team she appeared to move freely once the match resumed and ended the run of games against her – but Collins would not be denied a deciding set. Raducanu applied significant pressure, failing to take her first eight break points before converting her ninth to force the set back on serve at 3-3. But the former US Open champion was outlasted in the closing stages and was twice broken to love as Collins completed the turnaround after two hours and 20 minutes. Spanish third seed Paula Badosa and Russian Liudmila Samsonova are 2024 runner-up Collins’ potential semi-final opponents in Strasbourg. The other quarter-finals see American second seed Emma Navarro face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Kazakh fourth seed Elena Rybakina play Poland’s Magda Linette. Source link #Strasbourg #Open #Emma #Raducanu #suffers #injury #scare #days #French #Open #loss #Danielle #Collins Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sophie Turner Transforms Into So-Fit Turner Ahead of Tomb Raider Debut Sophie Turner Transforms Into So-Fit Turner Ahead of Tomb Raider Debut When it comes to live-action, Tomb Raider has always struggled to find its footing. None of the adaptations of the character have managed to capture the essence of the video games, and the source material outshines its live-action offspring by a long shot. From Angelina Jolie to Alicia Vikander, the torch carried by Lara Croft has now been passed on to Sophie Turner. A new live-action Tomb Raider series from Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been in development for Prime Video since 2023, but it was officially greenlit in 2024, and Turner was in talks to star in the titular role. Even though reports earlier stated that the series was no longer moving forward due to issues in development, a now-deleted post from Sophie herself has seemingly confirmed otherwise. Sophie Turner shows off her shredded physique for the Tomb Raider series Sophie Turner’s transformation as Lara Croft is unimaginable | Image Credit: Crystal Dynamics Sophie’s recent Instagram post included a picture of her flexing her abs and biceps in a pool with a drink in her hand. While the post is still up, the slide featuring the image has now been deleted. This is highly suspicious, don’t you think? This comes after the picture went viral, and people started speculating that her jacked physique was in preparation for the live-action Tomb Raider series. A few days back, Variety also reported that the producers behind the Tomb Raider series have renewed their deal with Amazon and are currently working on the live-action series from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Additionally, they’re also the producers behind the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, whose second season is on the way. Turner obviously hasn’t said anything about it, but her deleting the slide from her post has already told us enough. Fans are excited at the prospect of seeing one of gaming’s most prominent female characters adapted into live-action once again, this time in series format. From slaying as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones to fighting the X-Men as Jean Grey and now becoming Lara Croft, Turner has made quite an impressive resume playing iconic characters. Now, all we can hope is that the series can live up to the heights reached by the source material. Crystal Dynamics is also making a new Tomb Raider title, rumored to be revealed this year With the live-action series potentially moving forward, the next Tomb Raider game from Crystal Dynamics is also on the way, and it could be revealed as soon as this year. Summer Game Fest is right around the corner, and if Geoff Keighley is smart, he’ll reveal the game there. Recent evidence has also suggested that the game could be in its final stage of production. If there’s any credibility to that, we might be getting a new Tomb Raider game next year at the least, if not later. Plus, next year is the series’ 30th anniversary, so if the stars align, then an official reveal is guaranteed this year. Crystal Dynamics hasn’t said much about the upcoming entry, but with the live-action series back on track and the new game potentially releasing next year, Tomb Raider fans will finally have their time to shine. So, what do you think about Sophie Turner’s jacked physique? Do you think it’s for the new Tomb Raider series, or is it for something else entirely? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below. Source link #Sophie #Turner #Transforms #SoFit #Turner #Ahead #Tomb #Raider #Debut Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Up Late: What you should REALLY do with the cash saved on rate cuts Up Late: What you should REALLY do with the cash saved on rate cuts In tonight’s show, with homeowners celebrating the latest rate cut, Ben Harvey outlines a financial hack with surprising results. Use the interest rate saving to pay off your home faster? Or put the money into superannuation? Which will do better? WATCH TONIGHT’S UP LATE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE Source link #Late #cash #saved #rate #cuts Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Donkey Kong’s New Look Shigeru Miyamoto Explains Donkey Kong’s New Look Donkey Kong recently received a redesign across Nintendo’s games and merchandise, and in a new interview, Mario and Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto explained the logic behind updating the iconic Nintendo character. Speaking with IGN, Miyamoto said he still plays a role in managing and creating Nintendo’s iconic characters. He said the team recently went back to the Rare-designed version of the character from Donkey Kong Country and reevaluated it. You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos. Size:640 × 360480 × 270 Want us to remember this setting for all your devices? Sign up or Sign in now! Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. Sorry, but you can’t access this content! Please enter your date of birth to view this video JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900 By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy enter Now Playing: Donkey Kong Bananza – 21 Minutes Of Official Gameplay | Nintendo Switch 2 “When we were talking about trying to create new versions, evolving Donkey Kong, we created the game called Jungle Beat,” Miyamoto said. “We worked together with the team that made 3D Mario. With the technology that was available at the time, we were able to make Donkey Kong more expressive. And going back to the design that Rare came up with, we reevaluated; what can we do with the design to make it more expressive? And then when it comes to the movie, we decided to move forward with this new generation Donkey Kong design.” Fans first noticed Donkey Kong’s new look in the Super Mario Bros. movie, and later spotted his updated design in footage of Mario Kart World and various Nintendo merchandise. Donkey Kong’s new look is most notable in the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza, where he has a more expressive face, more detailed fur, and wears overalls. Despite the changes, his design is still fairly close to the one cooked up by Rare artist Kevin Bayliss, who recently told fans upset about the new design to “embrace change more” and “give a big warm welcome for the new DK.” Donkey Kong’s new design will first be playable in Mario Kart World, a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title releasing June 5. The character’s solo adventure, Donkey Kong Bananza, will be available July 17 for Switch 2. In a hands-on Donkey Kong Bananza preview, we called Donkey Kong’s new ability to destroy the environment “childlike fun.” Source link #Shigeru #Miyamoto #Explains #Donkey #Kongs Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

China ‘gravely concerned’ by Trump Golden Dome plan China ‘gravely concerned’ by Trump Golden Dome plan China said it is “gravely concerned” by President Trump’s plan for the U.S. to build a multibillion-dollar Golden Dome missile defense shield and is encouraging Washington to halt its development. ******** Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday that the defense system, which Trump said would take $175 billion to build, will “exacerbate the risk of turning outer space into a battlefield,” therefore starting an arms race and shake up the international security and arms control “system.” “The U.S., by putting itself first and being obsessed with pursuing absolute security, violates the principal diminish the security for all undermines global strategic balance and stability,” Mao said during a press conference. “China is gravely concerned about this,” he continued. “We urge the U.S. to give up developing and deploying the global antimissile system at an early date and take concrete actions to enhance strategic mutual trust between countries and safeguard global strategic stability.” Trump announced Tuesday that the missile system will be “fully operational” in less than three years and that the push will be led by Vice Chief of Space Operations Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein. Canada will also be included in the effort. “This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defense capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term,” the president said Tuesday during an announcement alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “So, we’ll have it done in about three years.” He added, “Once fully constructed, Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space, and we will have the best system ever built.” The commander in chief said Alaska, Florida, Georgia and Indiana will be involved in the major defense project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Source link #China #gravely #concerned #Trump #Golden #Dome #plan Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sapphire 2025: SAP mints business AI flywheel with Palantir on board Sapphire 2025: SAP mints business AI flywheel with Palantir on board Christian Klein, SAP’s chief executive officer, put economic and geopolitical uncertainty at the heart of the opening keynote at the supplier’s global Sapphire event in Orlando. The European version of the event will be held in Madrid next week and is likely to repeat the same themes. Like other enterprise software suppliers, such as Oracle and Salesforce, SAP is invoking a trinity of capabilities for the artificial intelligence (AI) age, in its case applications, data and AI. Klein said SAP has the “broadest suite of applications in the [IT] industry”, the “semantically richest business data”, and AI that already makes SAP itself 30% more productive. Klein said the concept of a “flywheel”, making this troika go round, is driving SAP’s thinking and its offer to customers. British readers attuned to the increasing involvement of the controversial supplier Palantir in the NHS will have taken note of SAP’s announcement of a partnership with the firm, which the main Sapphire 2025 press release said would “facilitate joint customers’ cloud migration journey and modernisation programmes”. “Seamless connectivity between Palantir and SAP Business Data Cloud will enable customers to build a harmonised data foundation across their enterprise landscape. Together, the companies will responsibly deliver essential outcomes and support customers, including the US government, to quickly adapt to changes and disruptions,” it said. In the keynote, Klein hailed the Palantir partnership as building out the Business Data Cloud (BDC) platform that SAP announced in February 2025. “BDC is the crystal ball we need for these times of uncertainty. “Palantir is the maker of powerful data analysis software, and with SAP Business Cloud, our shared customers now benefit from real-time data integration and joint AI use cases.” Palantir chief executive Alex Karp said, in a video during the keynote: “We use Ontology [a Palantir product] to manage large language models and Foundry to reconcile data. The combination of those products and SAP’s will, we believe, be extremely valuable for our collective clients and partners.” Foundry is Palantir’s data integration platform and Ontology is an element of it for building digital twins. Klein said, in the press statement: “With the expansion of Joule, our partnerships with leading AI pioneers, and advancements in SAP Business Data Cloud, we’re delivering on the promise of Business AI as we drive digital transformations that help customers thrive in an increasingly unpredictable world.” Joule is SAP’s generative AI assistant technology, which it says can “accompany business users throughout their day, in and out of the SAP application universe, to find data, surface real-time insights and streamline workflows. Joule’s new ubiquity includes an action bar powered by WalkMe that studies user behaviour across applications, turning the assistant into an always-available, proactive AI that can anticipate users’ needs before they arise – always adhering to SAP’s strict ethical AI guidelines”. The supplier also announced a collaboration with Perplexity, described as “an AI-powered answer engine company”. This is said to enhance Joule’s ability to draw on structured and unstructured data to solve complex business problems. Alongside SAP’s knowledge graph technology, SAP said Joule could now instantly answer questions with “structured, visual answers – such as charts and graphs – grounded in real-time business data within SAP workflows. For example, a user could ask the tool how recent external events might impact their business and get a forecast based on both current events and the company’s own business data”. WHO IS THIS QUOTE FROM? It is from the release. SAP also announced more Joule Agents spanning customer experience, supply chain management, spend management, finance and human capital management. The supplier also introduced an “operating system for AI development”. Called AI Foundation, it is said to give developers a single entry point for building, extending and running custom AI systems. The supplier will, no doubt, endeavour to say what these and other announcements will mean for SAP customers in Europe next week in Madrid, from 26-28 May. Source link #Sapphire #SAP #mints #business #flywheel #Palantir #board Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Monster Train 2 Is Now Available on PC and Consoles Monster Train 2 Is Now Available on PC and Consoles 2025 hasn’t been kind to our free time, with worthwhile titles launching nearly every week. Now, Shiny Shoe has joined the party with the release of Monster Train 2 across all major platforms. There’s no early access here. You can dive into the full game right now. If you played the original, you’ll feel right at home, but Monster Train 2 has plenty of new cards up its sleeve, and not just new units. The game now features room and equipment cards, which can be used during a run to reinforce your units and dramatically alter the floor you’re on. Monster Train 2 Launch Trailer Check out the fantastic launch trailer celebrating the release of Monster Train 2: The game is priced at $25 across all platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series S|X. However, if you own the first title on Steam, you can make use of a bundle discount and save 10%. There’s also a supporter bundle available if you really want to show your appreciation for the developers, and it comes with the following additional content: Official Soundtrack Monster Train 2 digital Compendium The Art of Monster Train 2 Book/PDF Wallpapers Posters Behind-the-scenes development videos In-studio photo gallery And more! Monster Train 2 builds on the first game and has five factions in total, each with unique playstyles, but that’s not all. One of the most highly requested features in the original was the ability to customize the train, and the developers have finally delivered on that, so you can make the train your own. Screenshot by Prima Games There’s also an endless mode for the hardcore players, but suffice to say, you’re looking at hundreds of hours of rogue-lite goodness here if you want to see everything the game has to offer. Finally, there’s also a story that advances as you do more runs and make progress through the many challenges of keeping the Pyre protected. Monster Train 2 is also available now through Xbox Game Pass, making it the perfect way to try the game and see if it scratches that deck-builder itch. Source link #Monster #Train #Consoles Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

KPMG says Perth clear to ditch the *****-bust tag with 192,000 new jobs predicted by 2030 KPMG says Perth clear to ditch the *****-bust tag with 192,000 new jobs predicted by 2030 Perth is on track to have 192,000 jobs up for grabs in the next five years, driven by an influx of young working professionals and a strong housing pipeline. KPMG Perth Partner Matt Woods was encouraged by the figures from the professional services firm, saying it showed the city had broken free of its reputation as a *****-bust town. AUKUS, the State Government’s Made in WA plan, and a raft of new energy projects prompted KPMG to take an even more bullish outlook than its forecast last year of an extra 159,000 jobs by 2030. There are currently 1.3 million working people in Perth out of a population of 2.4 million across Greater Perth. While unlikely to dent Perth’s rock solid reputation as a mining town, it was the healthcare sector that recorded the biggest employment growth in 2024 with an additional 23,500 jobs added. “That’s perhaps not unexpected given the population increase that we’ve had, people migrating into Perth to take advantage of those employment opportunities, coupled with the ageing population necessitates growth in that sector.” Mr Woods said. An extra 10,500 new positions in white collar professional services work, and another 6500 jobs in construction and education respectively were added, according to KPMG’s Enterprising Cities report. “I think the historical view that Perth is a bit of a *****-bust town is dead. We’ve seen six years of economic growth and Budget surpluses and an economy that is starting to diversify which is really positive for those of us that live in Perth.” Net overseas migration was the biggest driver of Greater Perth’s population growth in the 2023-2024 financial year, according to the latest data from the *********** Bureau of Statistics. KPMG noted in its report covering the calendar year that the 20–29 age group increased the most, growing by 22,700 people. The 30s cohort followed, increasing by 12,000 people. “I suspect that’s as a result of the opportunities that exist for employment in Perth,” Mr Woods said. “What’s really important is we’re getting the workforce migrating to Perth . . . the workers that are going to come here and deliver into those job opportunities.” The prospect of accommodating those workers — an issue not unique to Perth — is also improving, according to KPMG. Dwelling approvals in 2024 rose to 16,583, a meaningful increase on the 10,481 approvals in 2023 and above the five-year average of 15,360. “The problem is by no means solved but the metric is moving in the right direction,” Mr Woods said. Source link #KPMG #Perth #clear #ditch #boombust #tag #jobs #predicted Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Star Wars Battlefront 2’s Hideous Sales Figures Prove Why EA Didn’t Make Battlefront 3 Star Wars Battlefront 2’s Hideous Sales Figures Prove Why EA Didn’t Make Battlefront 3 Imagine getting hyped for a Star Wars game, only to discover it’s less Jedi adventure and more credit card simulator. That’s exactly what happened with Star Wars Battlefront 2, a game that promised thrilling galactic warfare but delivered a loot box-laden mess. What should have been a triumphant sequel became one of gaming’s most infamous controversies. EA’s grand vision for the franchise crashed harder than a TIE Fighter into a Death Star wall. The fallout was so severe that it effectively erased any hopes of a Battlefront 3. Let’s dissect how the mess unfolded and why it doomed the series entirely. From hype to horror: How EA lost the war before it began When Battlefront 2 launched in 2017, players expected an improved version of the 2015 reboot: ******* battles, more heroes, and meaningful progression. Just like the fans, EA also had high hopes, even predicting (via DualShockers) the game would sell 14 million copies in just 5 months. With the Star Wars brand, a major marketing push, and the upcoming release of The Last Jedi, their confidence seemed justified. However, reality painted a much bleaker picture. Instead of meeting the expectations of five months, the game was already falling behind in its third month. Sales plummeted: Physical *** sales dropped significantly compared to the original Battlefront. What was supposed to be the next big thing in gaming became the example of a PR meltdown. So, what caused this ******? In one word—microtransactions. Major characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were locked behind absurdly long grinds (~40 hours for one character). Or, with a quick swipe from a credit card, they could be yours instantly. The real problem was that these purchases weren’t just cosmetic. They gave gameplay advantages, turning the game into a pay-to-win mess. What’s worse? EA tried to defend the system. Naturally, the backlash was immediate and volcanic. Seeing the backlash, just days before release, EA temporarily disabled microtransactions to contain the damage, but the trust was already shattered. What was supposed to be a flagship title became a global example of how not to monetize a game. Why Battlefront 3 was never destined to happen Turns out you can’t sell a Jedi when he’s locked behind a credit card. | Image Credit: Electronic Arts After the chaos of Battlefront 2, any plans for a third installment were effectively dead in the water. EA may have hoped that updates would win back the community, but the numbers told a different story. While not a total flop, the game’s sales were far below expectations, especially compared to the sky-high costs of maintaining a Star Wars license. Internally, developers reportedly pitched ideas for Battlefront 3, but EA passed. The failure had already done its job. More importantly, the controversy had damaged EA’s reputation (forever in most gamers’ minds) and stretched the limits of its relationship with Disney. With Battlefront 2 now seen as the poster child for corporate greed and broken progression systems, moving forward with a direct sequel felt like trying to sell sand on Tatooine. The situation highlighted a painful truth for EA: even the most iconic IP in the world can’t protect a game built around exploitative monetization. Battlefront 3 became a casualty of corporate overreach, and its absence will serve as a quiet reminder that some lessons in gaming come at a very public price. Even though there has been renewed interest in Battlefront 3 recently (as seen with the surge of players on Battlefront 2 via SteamDB), the odds of it ever getting the green light are still slim to none. Source link #Star #Wars #Battlefront #Hideous #Sales #Figures #Prove #Didnt #Battlefront Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Line-jumping dispute leads to 3 Stow students being punched at Cedar Point, parent says Line-jumping dispute leads to 3 Stow students being punched at Cedar Point, parent says A parent is asking Stow-Monroe Falls school officials to look into possible policy changes after her daughter was punched during a recent class trip to Cedar Point. The parent, whose name is not being used because her daughter is a minor, told the school board May 19 that her child was on a Kimpton Middle School class trip to the Sandusky amusement park and waiting in line for a ride when the incident occurred. More: Prank calls flood Ypsilanti mom after her phone number appears on Cedar Point wall The parent said her daughter was one of three girls who were struck by another student from Shaker Heights Middle School on May 17. What happened between students at Cedar Point? The incident, the parent said, happened after a group of students from Shaker Heights cut in line earlier in the day and were confronted by her daughter and the two other Stow students. The Shaker Heights students, the mother said, told the girls they were catching up with other classmates already in line. A second encounter happened later when the two groups were in line for another ride at the park. The mother said a Shaker student had told the girls they could cut in front of them on another ride after the earlier incident. “(A) Shaker boy clocked three of our girls in the back of the head, causing them all to have concussions,” the mother told the board. She also said her daughter is being checked for more serious injuries. “(My daughter) is scared and in pain, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally,” the parent told the board. “We do not want this falling on deaf ears.” Sandusky police investigating incident at Cedar Point Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver said the incident involving the students is being investigated. “The injuries reported to us were minor, if any at all,” the chief said. The police report of the incident was not readily available since it involves minors and identifiable information has to be redacted. What is Cedar Point’s line policy? Cedar Point’s Code of Conduct prohibits guests from saving spots in line or cutting in front of other guests or leaving a line for any reason. Violators may be asked to leave the park. Parent wants Stow’s class trip policies to be reviewed The parent wants Stow school officials to take a fresh look at its policies for class trips — like Cedar Point — where the number of students traveling far outnumber the chaperones and students are not directly supervised at all times. “I am deeply concerned about the lack of adequate supervision that was provided to these 13 and 14-year-old students,” she said. “From what I understand this situation could have absolutely been prevented. “This has absolutely been a devastating development to our family and one that will have ongoing medical and emotional implications.” Requests for comment were left May 21 with Stow and Shaker Heights school officials. This story may be updated. Craig Webb can be reached at *****@*****.tld. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 3 Stow students punched over line-jumping dispute at Cedar Point Source link #Linejumping #dispute #leads #Stow #students #punched #Cedar #Point #parent Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is coming to mobile as a Crunchyroll exclusive Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is coming to mobile as a Crunchyroll exclusive Crunchyroll is set to expand its catalogue with a new exclusive release for Ani-May It sees Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town arrive exclusively on mobile The life-sim sees you explore both the countryside of Akita and the mysterious Coal Town Crunchyroll’s library of exclusive anime-based releases is set to get another major addition with the exclusive mobile launch of Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town. As with Crunchyroll’s other releases, this’ll be exclusively available via their subscription service as part of the major wave of releases for Ani-May. But, for those of you not already aware, what exactly is Crayon Shin-Chan? Well, like Doraemon (which we covered yesterday, funnily enough), this is an enduring icon of Japanese manga not well-known outside the country. Charting the daily adventures of Shinnosuke Nohara and his family, friends and those around him. Shin Chan: Shiro and the Coal Town not only features Shinnosuke and other characters from the series, but also serves as a spiritual successor to another cult classic, My Summer Vacation for the PlayStation One. This groundbreaking life sim only recently saw a Western release, but for some of you will be instantly recognisable regardless. Summertime Even if you’re not a fan of the series, or nostalgic for Boku No Natsuyasumi, as My Summer Vacation is called, Shiro and the Coal Town offers plenty of fun features. You’ll go about the day-to-day life of Shin Chan as he explores the countryside of Akita, getting up to all manner of mischief and minigames such as fishing and gardening. But if the (gorgeously rendered by the way) Japanese countryside isn’t enough, you can always seek out the mysterious Coal Town itself and experience a more fantastical side to summer vacation. It all presents a pretty compelling addition to the life sim genre with lots to do and see. More than that, it also helps firmly establish Crunchyroll’s pedigree for bringing unusual cult classics to mobile. But if you want to experience something a little more unusual, why not check out our list of the top 25 best RPGs for iOS and Android to explore fantasy worlds and places? Source link #Shin #Chan #Shiro #Coal #Town #coming #mobile #Crunchyroll #exclusive Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

GOP aims to axe EV, green tax credits. Act now to claim the breaks GOP aims to axe EV, green tax credits. Act now to claim the breaks A visitor waves an American flag near the U.S. Capitol, as the U.S. House of Representatives considers U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2025. Nathan Howard | Reuters A tax package House Republicans may pass as soon as this week would kill a slew of consumer tax breaks tied to clean energy, as currently drafted. If it becomes law, households interested in the tax breaks may have to rush to claim them this year, experts said. Tax breaks on the chopping block include ones for consumers who buy or lease electric vehicles, and others for households that make their homes more energy-efficient. The Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, which made historic investments to combat climate change, created or enhanced those tax breaks. Most would be terminated after 2025, about seven years earlier than under current law. “Based on the existing proposed language, if you’ve been considering an EV or planning to get one, now is the time to do it,” Alexia Melendez Martineau, senior policy manager at Plug In America, wrote in an e-mail. Termination of EV tax credits Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images Consumers who buy a new EV can claim a tax break worth up to $7,500. One for used EVs is worth up to $4,000. Car dealers can also pass along a $7,500 credit to consumers who lease an electric vehicle. The House tax proposal would terminate these tax credits after 2025. The Inflation Reduction Act made them available through 2032. A “special rule” would keep the $7,500 credit in place for some new EVs for an additional year, through 2026. However, it would only be available for new vehicles from automakers that haven’t yet sold 200,000 EVs. That would disqualify EVs from companies like General Motors (GM), Tesla (TSLA) and Toyota (TM). About 7.5% of all new-vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2025 were EVs, an increase from 7% a year earlier, according to Cox Automotive. Tax credits for EVs have been available in some form since 2008, when George W. Bush approved them. The Inflation Reduction Act made it easier for consumers to access the EV credit, by allowing dealers to issue the tax break to consumers upfront at the point of ***** instead of waiting until tax season. Consumers who buy an EV in the near term would be wise to pick this option, experts said. “We recommend taking the upfront rebate at the dealership, as it reduces the price you pay now and shifts liability to the dealer to manage getting the credit from the IRS,” Martineau said. Axing home efficiency tax credits Owngarden | Moment | Getty Images House Republicans also aim to axe various tax breaks tied to making existing homes more energy-efficient. These breaks defray the cost of projects like installing insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and installing energy-efficient windows and doors, for example. One — the energy efficient home improvement credit, also known as the 25C credit — is worth up to 30% of the cost of a qualifying project. Taxpayers can claim up to $3,200 per year on their tax returns, with the overall dollar amount tied to specific projects. Another — the residential clean energy credit, or the 25D credit — is also worth 30% of qualifying project costs. It doesn’t have an annual or lifetime dollar, except for certain limits on fuel cells, according to the IRS. They are currently available through 2032. (The 25D credit phases down to 26% for installations in 2033 and 22% for those in 2034.) Both tax credits would be repealed after 2025 under the House bill. More from Personal Finance: Student loan borrowers risk ‘potential spillovers’ as delinquencies rise What Moody’s downgrade of U.S. credit rating means for your money Trump’s IRS pick Billy Long says agency ‘should not be politicized The 25C and 25D credits have been available in some form since 1978 and 2005, respectively, according to economists at the Haas Energy Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. More than 3.4 million U.S. households claimed one of the credits in 2023, receiving more than $8 billion, according to the Treasury Department. Experts recommend that consumers considering a home-efficiency project have it completed by year’s end to be able to claim a tax credit. “If a homeowner was looking to take advantage of the 25C tax credit, under what is being proposed [by the House] they’d need to ensure their system was put in service this year,” said Kara Saul Rinaldi, president and CEO of AnnDyl Policy Group, an energy and environmental policy strategy firm. The House tax bill may change Republicans are eyeing the climate tax breaks as a way to raise money for a sprawling package that also extends measures from President Trump’s 2017 tax law and cuts taxes on overtime and tips, for example. The House tax plan’s repeal or modification of clean energy credits — including those for EVs and home efficiency — would raise $707 billion over a decade, according to an analysis published Monday by the Penn Wharton Budget Model. As drafted, the overall House bill would raise the U.S. deficit by a net $3.3 trillion over a decade, after accounting for spending cuts, Penn Wharton said. Of course, the tax bill’s text may change. There appears to be dissent from within House Republican ranks over various aspects of the bill. Some of the infighting is tied to the repeal of climate related tax breaks, which have been more popular among consumers than anticipated. The Senate also needs to pass the measure before it heads to the president’s desk. “Republicans are far from united, with deficit hawks pushing for greater deficit reduction, centrists objecting to steep ******** cuts and blue-state Republicans fighting for ******* State and Local Tax (SALT) exemptions,” Paul Ashworth, chief North America economist at Capital Economics, wrote in a research note on Tuesday. Source link #GOP #aims #axe #green #tax #credits #Act #claim #breaks Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

New 4K Blu-Ray Edition Of Original Lilo & Stitch Restocked And Discounted At Amazon New 4K Blu-Ray Edition Of Original Lilo & Stitch Restocked And Discounted At Amazon Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch releases in theaters this weekend. If you want to revisit the original animated version, you can finally watch the 2002 classic on 4K Blu-ray thanks to the newly launched Ultimate Collector’s Edition. Lilo & Stitch’s 4K Blu-ray edition hit stores on May 6 and has been going in and out of stock. At the moment, the 4K release is sold out at Walmart, but Amazon has copies for $32 (was $41). Depending on your location, you might eligible for free same- or next-day delivery with Amazon Prime. $32 (was $41) This version of Lilo & Stitch comes with 4K Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and digital copies of the original film. Along with all new art and collectible packaging, the 4K version of the film supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for enhanced image and audio clarity. Lilo & Stitch: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Special Features Lilo & Stitch’s UItimate Collector’s Edition is packed with bonus features, but it’s worth noting that the content listed below is found on the 1080p Blu-ray disc, not the new 4K remaster. Hula Lesson Animating the Hula Audio commentary DisneyPedia: The Islands of Aloha Two music videos Behind-the-music featurette A Stitch in Time: Follow Stitch through the Disney years As an alternative to the new 4K Blu-ray edition, there’s a standard Blu-ray 2-movie collection for $16.48 (was $26) and DVD version for $7.50 (was $15). The collection comes with the original film and Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch. For more stories starring Experiment 626, check out our roundup of Stitch manga and graphic novels. Stitch has been a mainstay in the Disney collectible scene for decades, and the live-action remake has naturally led to an assortment of new toys and licensed merch, including an adorable interactive Stitch plush. If you like Lego sets, check out all of the Lilo & Stitch Lego sets you can buy now. The popular 730-piece buildable Stitch figure is on ***** for a great price at Walmart and Amazon. Fans can also preorder a matching buildable Angel figure ahead of its June 1 launch. Source link #BluRay #Edition #Original #Lilo #Stitch #Restocked #Discounted #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Review | In ‘Who Knew,’ Barry Diller comes out — but mostly talks business – The Washington Post Review | In ‘Who Knew,’ Barry Diller comes out — but mostly talks business – The Washington Post Review | In ‘Who Knew,’ Barry Diller comes out — but mostly talks business The Washington PostDiller Speaks: Hollywood’s Most Fearsome Legend Bares His Soul The Hollywood ReporterThe 4 biggest revelations from media mogul Barry Diller’s new memoir Los Angeles TimesHow Hollywood almost screwed up classics like ‘Die Hard,’ ‘Grease’ and ‘Saturday Night Fever’ New York PostNow We Know. Does Barry Diller Have More to Say? The New York Times Source link #Review #Knew #Barry #Diller #talks #business #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Raidou Remastered Preview – TheGamer Raidou Remastered Preview – TheGamer ATLUS is bringing the classic action RPG back with RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, launching on June 19, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch 2 and other major platforms. This enhanced version revitalizes the 2006 PlayStation 2 title, offering a modern experience while preserving the game’s unique charm. Source link #Raidou #Remastered #Preview #TheGamer Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Google I/O: LLM capabilities power agentic AI search Google I/O: LLM capabilities power agentic AI search Google has taken steps to advance artificial intelligence (AI) language models closer to what it calls “world models”, as it tries to make them more useful and universal. The company used its annual developer event, Google I/O, to showcase the Gemini 2.5 large language model (LLM), new application programming interfaces (APIs) and programming tools and agentic AI functionality built into Google’s internet search engine. Gemini is Google’s primary AI engine, but it offers several others including Gemma 3n, a small language model for mobile devices. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google Deepmind, said: “Our ultimate vision is to transform the Gemini app into a universal AI assistant that will perform everyday tasks for us, take care of our mundane admin and surface delightful new recommendations – making us more productive and enriching our lives.” Hassabis said the company was beginning to develop new AI capabilities, following on from work on a research prototype called Project Astra, which explored concepts such as video understanding, screen sharing and memory. “Over the past year, we’ve been integrating capabilities like these into Gemini Live for more people to experience today.” Google has been working to make its main AI model, Gemini, a world model. With Gemini 2.5 Pro, Hassabis said the model can make plans and imagine new experiences by understanding and simulating aspects of the world. Hassabis said the progress the company has made is based on training AI agents to master complex games such as Go and StarCraft, with its Genie 2 software able to generate 3D-simulated interactive worlds. According to Hassabis, Gemini is making use of this work in how it handles world knowledge and reasoning to represent and simulate natural environments. Other examples include Veo, Google’s AI-based video content generator, which Hassabis said has a deep understanding of “intuitive physics”. As it strives to make its AI more useful, the company has released a Gemini 2.5-powered feature called AI Mode, on its North American internet search site, to provide more in-depth querying than just what is possible with the AI Overview functionality currently available. An agentic AI feature called Project Mariner is also now part of AI Mode, which Google said can help people searching the internet get tasks done quicker. As an example, Google said a query to find affordable tickets would use AI Mode to look across multiple websites, analysing hundreds of potential ticket options with real-time pricing and inventory, and handle the work of filling in forms. “AI Mode will present ticket options that meet your exact criteria, and you can complete the purchase on whichever site you prefer, saving you time while keeping you in control,” Google said. Another agentic AI feature uses AI Mode to fast-track browsing and purchases on websites, with the entire payment process automated using Google Pay. To support software developers, Google has integrated Gemini 2.5 Pro into the native code editor of Google AI Studio, which it said would help programmers prototype faster. It has also released a beta version of Jules, an asynchronous code agent, which works directly with a software developer’s GitHub repositories. Google said users can ask Jules to take on tasks such as version upgrades, writing tests, updating features and bug fixes. Source link #Google #LLM #capabilities #power #agentic #search Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The risky but rewarding game of finding 10-baggers The risky but rewarding game of finding 10-baggers Generally speaking, investors tend to keep to tried and true investments, devoting the majority of their stock allocations to large caps and index funds that make up the bedrock of a prudent portfolio. However, investors who can set aside a small portion of their cash to finding “10-baggers” — stocks with the potential to gain more than 1,000% — may find the gamble could very well be worth the risk, according to Bespoke Investment. Correctly identifying even just one 10-bagger could have a “dramatic” effect on a portfolio, the firm said. Of course, they specified investors should only be allocating less than 10% of their capital into these “longshots.” And when they do, the bets should be well researched, smaller cap stocks with hypergrowth potential. “Hypothetically, if you invested $10k each in 10 ‘longshot’ stocks and nine of them went down 50% while just one went up 1,000%, your overall return would still be a gain of 55%,” read a note from the firm. “If nine of them went down 90% and you still had the one 10-bagger, you’d still be up 19%.” “And finally, if you’re good enough to find two 10-baggers out of ten ideas, the other eight could all go to zero and you’d still be up 120%,” it continued. Here are some of the names they said are just the starting point for further research. SoundHound AI, the independent voice artificial intelligence company that boasts clients such as Hyundai and Mercedes, is a consensus buy on the Street, according to CNBC’s analyst consensus tool. The stock is down more than 50% in 2025, but has still surged 93% on a one-year basis. SOUN 1Y mountain SoundHound AI Life Time Group , which sells memberships to high-end fitness and recreational sports centers, has rallied 32% this year, and 82% over the last 12 months. On Monday, Mizuho maintained an outperform rating on Life Time, saying it would use any pullback in the stock to add exposure. Analyst John Baumgartner noted the fitness company’s strong programming and member loyalty can help it outperform even in a softening macro backdrop. Airship AI , an edge AI provider of security and surveillance applications, also has growth potential, Bespoke said. The stock is down more than 20% year to date, but it’s up about 5% over the past 12 months. Source link #risky #rewarding #game #finding #10baggers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Slovenian President Pirc Musar calls for European courage and solidarity | News Slovenian President Pirc Musar calls for European courage and solidarity | News Welcoming President Pirc Musar at a formal sitting, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “Slovenia has helped to shape our Union, proving again and again that we work best when we work together. That is why it is so important that Slovenia and Europe remain united in our approach to the challenges ahead. Why our values matter. And why we will stand up for them.” Pirc Musar recalled the positive experience of Slovenia’s reforms and integration into the EU in 2004 and underscored her country’s support for future merit-based EU enlargement, in particular to the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova. She stressed the need to enhance the efficiency, and financial and institutional capacities of the EU as a political community to welcome new members. On security and defence, President Pirc Musar called for greater strategic autonomy and increased societal resilience in the face of multiple crises. She stressed the EU’s responsibility to uphold the multilateral world order and the founding principles of the United Nations Charter. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Pirc Musar called for more EU involvement and an end to hostilities in the West Bank and Gaza. Pirc Musar also underlined the importance of strengthening Europe’s global competitiveness to sustain the European social model. She advocated for continued investment in social justice, education, culture and high living standards for all EU citizens. You can watch her address again here. Source link #Slovenian #President #Pirc #Musar #calls #European #courage #solidarity #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Gerry Connolly, congressman who protected federal workforce, dies at 75 – The Washington Post Gerry Connolly, congressman who protected federal workforce, dies at 75 – The Washington Post Gerry Connolly, congressman who protected federal workforce, dies at 75 The Washington PostGerry Connolly, Democratic Congressman of Virginia, Dies at 75 The New York TimesRep. Gerry Connolly, 75, has died, family statement says CNNVirginia Rep. Gerry Connolly Dies at 75, Marking Third Death in Congress Since March People.comRep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia dies at 75 after esophageal ******* diagnosis NBC News Source link #Gerry #Connolly #congressman #protected #federal #workforce #dies #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Walking the Peloponnese: 12 Trails, 1,700 Kilometers Walking the Peloponnese: 12 Trails, 1,700 Kilometers Walking the Peloponnese: 12 Trails, 1,700 Kilometers Source link #Walking #Peloponnese #Trails #Kilometers Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Monaco Grand Prix: Has F1’s iconic race become boring? Monaco Grand Prix: Has F1’s iconic race become boring? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. Known for it’s grandeur, Monaco has always been an iconic track since its first race in 1929, with rows of yachts along the harbour and a star-studded guest list in attendance. It is considered one of motorsport’s triple crown events – an unofficial achievement – along with the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans. Three different, but equally challenging races, and steeped in a rich history. In recent years, however, there have been discussions on whether the streets of Monte Carlo have made for a stagnant track, although a contest drivers still want to win. “This is really boring… I should’ve brought my pillow,” said four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen after finishing sixth in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. The circuit is a unique challenge for drivers, with roads around the principality narrow with tight turns and a mile-long tunnel. With modern cars now much larger, this makes overtaking difficult. Saturday’s qualifying is considered the most exciting part of the weekend as the race classification is deemed a foregone conclusion as the track averages just 10 overtakes per race, the lowest of any track in the last 10 years. In 2024, the top 10 remained unchanged from start to finish with only four overtakes in the 78-lap contest as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took both pole position and the race victory over the weekend. The previous year’s edition saw 22 overtakes because of rain, while in 2022 there were 13 on wet tarmac. This weekend, from May 23-25, will be the 82nd staging of the Monaco Grand Prix. It has been on the calendar since F1 began in 1950, becoming a permanent fixture from 1955, other than during the Covid-affected 2020 season. Source link #Monaco #Grand #Prix #F1s #iconic #race #boring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]